They are also keen on Swedish international defender Niklas Hult, although they are again not the only club trying to sign the Panathinaikos man.

While Dinamo Zagreb are understood to have rejected at least one bid from Forest for Algerian international striker El Arbi Hillel Soudani.

Tim Cahill is a free agent

And the Reds are also understood to have a handful of goalkeeping targets, including Liverpool’s Danny Ward – who was a player on previous manager Mark Warburton’s wanted list – and at least one other keeper currently with a Premier League club.

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Karanka repeated his belief Forest must remain patient in their search for new additions, even if their work goes right down to the wire on Wednesday evening – as long as it means they get the right players on board.

Niklas Hult in action for Sweden (Image: Getty)

And, while he hopes the club will get some business done before they face Preston at the City Ground, he would not use any new additions in the game regardless.

El Arbi Hillel Soudani in action for Dinamo Zagreb against Juventus' Patrice Evra in the Champions League

“I think it will be difficult for new players to be involved, because I do not like to include players in the squad who have not had the chance to train with the team,” said Karanka.

“I am hopeful that we will get a few players in (before the game), yes. I have said all along that our target is to finish the transfer window with a stronger squad than the one we started with.

“For sure, we will work, but the transfer market is not easy and we cannot make mistakes. We have to bring in the right players and, for that reason, we will not hurry into anything and take risks.